Cowroid Seal Amulet Inscribed with a Decorative Pattern

Unknown

ca. 1479–1458 B.C. · Steatite (glazed) · Egyptian Art

Most of the amulets found in the foundation deposits of Hatshepsut's funerary temple were scarabs, but a hand full were carved in the shape of a cowrie shell. Like this one, the backs of most of these cowroids have been incised with a decorative pattern that suggests the setting of a swivel ring bezel (see 36.3.46). Others (27.3.180) have also been inscribed with the image of a bolti fish (a tilapia), and two have been carved with the image of a falcon, with its wings outstretched and wearing an atef-crown (27.3.164, 27.3.396). The decoration on the base of this cowroid includes stylized representations of the red crown of Lower Egypt (the Delta region) at right and left. The curling plumes of the crowns are echoed in the geometric floral pattern in the center.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Medium

Steatite (glazed)

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1927